PART I
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
Not Applicable
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Not Applicable
Item 3. Key Information
A. Selected financial data.
The table below presents selected statement of operations and
balance sheet data for Sharpe Resources Corporation as at and for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003. The selected financial data presented
herein is prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada
("Canadian GAAP") and include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned
subsidiary Sharpe Energy Company.
A summary of the differences between accounting principles generally
accepted in Canada ("Canadian GAAP") and those generally accepted in the United
States ("US GAAP") which affect the Company is contained in Note 8 of the
Consolidated Financial Statements included with this report.
Sharpe Resources Corporation Consolidated Financial Statement Data
For the Years Ended December 31 (Expressed in US Currency)
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
2003
|
Selected Operating
Data
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
$10,808
|
$13,370
|
$17,644
|
$108,998
|
$159,527
|
Production Costs
|
(26,210)
|
(32,544)
|
($5,648)
|
($202,395)
|
($253,638)
|
Expenses
|
(240,425)
|
254,968
|
($139,078)
|
($101,512)
|
($119,264)
|
Gain on Settlement of Debt
|
0
|
0
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
Gain on disposal of petroleum
|
|
|
|
|
|
and natural gas properties
|
0
|
0
|
$416,320
|
$0
|
$189,727
|
Net Income (Loss) for the period
|
(255,827)
|
(344,752)
|
$289,238
|
($194,909)
|
($13,648)
|
Earnings (Loss) per share basic
|
($0.01)
|
($0.01)
|
$0.01
|
($0.01)
|
$0.00
|
Earnings (Loss) per share diluted
|
($0.01)
|
($0.01)
|
$0.01
|
($0.01)
|
$0.00
|
2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 Selected Balance Sheet Data
Working Capital
$204,866 $204,866 $339,570 $75,724 $202,861 Total Assets 554,548 454,866 $417,695 $159,609
$209,531 Loan Claims 563,818 563,818 $587,369 ($664,533) ($664,533) Capital Stock
(11,463,430) (11,174,108) ($10,999,986) ($10,999,986) ($10,921,861) Deficit (12,020,861)
(11,765,034) ($11,420,282) ($11,709,520 ($11,514,611)
Currency Exchange Rates
Except where otherwise indicated, all dollar figures in this annual report on Form
20-F, including the financial statements, refer to United States currency. The following
table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain exchange rates based on the exchange
rates reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as the noon buying rates in New
York City for cable transfers in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes (the
“Noon Buying Rate”). Such rates quoted are the number of U.S. dollars
per Cdn $1.00 and are the inverse of rates quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
for the number of Canadian dollars per U.S. $1.00.
Year
Ended December 31,
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
High for the period
|
.7738
|
.8493
|
.8689
|
.9148
|
1.0220
|
Low for the period
|
.6329
|
.7196
|
.7871
|
.8475
|
.8460
|
Average rate for the
period(1)
.7186
|
.7716
|
.8253
|
.8821
|
.9353
|
Rate at end of period
|
.7738
|
.8308
|
.8577
|
.8581
|
1.0120
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Based on the average exchange rates on the last day of each month during the
applicable period.
B. Capitalization and indebtedness.
Not Applicable
C. Reasons for the offer and use of proceeds.
Not Applicable
D.
Risk factors
.
The operations of the Company involve a number of
substantial risks and an investment in th
e securities of the Company is highly
speculative in nature. The following risk factors should be considered:
History of Losses; No Assurance of Profitability
The net loss for the year ending December 31, 2007 was $ 255,827as compared to the net
loss of $344,752 for the year ending December 31, 2006 a decrease of $88,925.
The net loss for the year ending December 31, 2006 was $344,752 as compared to net
income of $289,238 for 2005. The difference of $633,990 is the result of the gain on the
sale of the West Thrifty Unit in 2005 of $416,320 and a one time management fee of
$154,000 paid to a current director and officer for the Corporation in 2006. This
transaction was in the normal course of operations and was measured at the exchange value
which represented the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related
parties.
Although the company reported income of $289,238 for the year ended December 31, 2005,
it was the direct result of the sale of its West Thrifty Unit. The gain on the sale was
$416,320.
The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $194,909 which is an increase of
$181,261 a result of decreased production at the West Thrifty Unit.
In 2003, the Company had a loss of $13,648. The decrease from 2002 of $98,351 is
primarily due to the sale of 32% of the Company’s interest in the West Thrifty
Unit.
The Company had a loss of $111,999 for the year ended 2002 due
primarily to additional royalties that needed to be paid as the result of an audit by the
Texas General Land Office for the years 1998-2000 in the amount of $88,436.
The Company has accumulated losses of US $12,020,861 since inception.
Extreme Volatility of Oil and Gas Prices
Sharpe's revenues have been dependent upon prevailing prices for oil
and gas. Oil and gas prices can be extremely volatile and are affected by the action of
foreign governments and international cartels.
In addition, the marketability and profitability of oil and natural gas
acquired or discovered is affected by numerous factors beyond the control of Sharpe. Any
material decline in prices could result in a reduction of Sharpe's net production revenue.
These factors include reservoir characteristics, market fluctuations, the proximity and
capacity of oil and natural gas pipelines and processing equipment and government
regulation.
Ability to Find or Acquire Economically Recoverable Oil and Gas
Reserves
Sharpe's future success depends upon its ability to find or acquire
additional oil and gas reserves that are economically recoverable. Except to the extent
that Sharpe conducts successful exploration or development activities or acquires
properties containing proved reserves, or both, the proved reserves of Sharpe will
generally decline as reserves are produced. There can be no assurance that Sharpe's
planned development projects and exploration activities will result in significant
additional reserves or that Sharpe will have continuing success drilling productive wells
at low finding costs. If prevailing oil and gas prices were to increase significantly,
Sharpe's finding costs to add reserves could be expected to increase. The drilling of oil
and gas wells involves a high degree of risk especially the risk of a dry hole or of a
well that is not sufficiently productive to provide an economic return on the capital
expended to drill the well.
Highly Competitive Industry
The oil and natural gas industry is competitive in all its phases.
Sharpe competes with numerous other participants in the search for, and the acquisition
of, oil and natural gas properties and in the marketing of oil and natural gas. Sharpe's
competitors include oil companies, which have far greater financial and other resources,
staff and facilities than those of Sharpe. Competitive factors in the distribution and
marketing of oil and natural gas include price, methods of delivery and reliability of
delivery. Many of such companies not only explore for and produce oil and natural gas, but
also carry on refining operations and market petroleum and other products on a worldwide
basis and as such have greater and more diverse resources to draw on. Sharpe's ability to
increase reserves in the future will depend not only on its ability to explore and develop
its present properties, but also on its ability to select and acquire suitable producing
properties or prospects for exploratory drilling.
No Assurance of Discoveries or Acquisitions
Oil and natural gas acquisition, exploration and development involves
many risks, which even a combination of experience, knowledge and careful evaluation may
not be able to overcome. There is no assurance that commercial quantities of oil and
natural gas will be discovered or acquired by Sharpe.
Uncertainty of Warrant Exercises; Need for Additional Capital
There is no assurance that any of the outstanding share purchase
warrants or options will be exercised. Even if all of the outstanding share purchase
warrants and options are exercised, Sharpe may still require additional capital to conduct
its acquisition, exploration and development activities.
Risks and Hazards Related to Oil and Gas Operations
Oil and natural gas operations are subject to many risks and hazards
including fires, explosions, blowouts, oil spills and encountering formations with
abnormal pressure, each of which could result in substantial damage to oil and natural gas
wells, producing facilities, other property and the environment or result in personal
injury. Oil and natural gas production operations are also subject to risks including
premature decline of reservoirs and the invasion of water into producing formations.
Reduction in Oil and Gas Acquisition and Development Activities
The economics of producing from some wells may change as a result of
lower oil and natural gas prices. Sharpe might also elect not to produce from certain
wells at lower prices. All of these factors could result in a material decrease in
Sharpe's net production revenue causing a reduction in its oil and gas acquisition and
development activities.
Effect of Outstanding Warrants and Options; Negative Effect of
Substantial Sales
As of December 31, 2007, the Company had outstanding options to
purchase an aggregate of 3,511,000 Common Shares. The exercise prices of the outstanding
options are Cdn $0.10. The expiration dates of the outstanding options range from May 8,
2008 to May 15, 2012. At December 31, 2007 the Company had no warrants outstanding. All of
the foregoing securities represent the right to acquire Common Shares of the Company
during various periods of time and at various prices. Holders of these securities are
given the opportunity to profit from a rise in the market price of the Common Shares and
are likely to exercise its securities at a time when the Company would be able to obtain
additional equity capital on more favorable terms. Substantial sales of Common Shares
pursuant to the exercise of such options and warrants could have a negative effect on the
market price for the Common Shares.
No Dividends
The Company has not paid any dividends since its inception and does not
anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.
Regulation
The Company’s oil and gas exploration, production and related
operations are subject to extensive rules and regulations promulgated by federal, state
and local agencies. Failure to comply with such rules and regulations can result in
substantial penalties. The regulatory burden on the oil and gas industry increases the
Company’s cost of doing business and affects its profitability. Because such
rules and regulations are frequently amended or reinterpreted, the Company is unable to
predict the future cost or impact of complying with such laws.
The State of Texas and many other states require permits for drilling
operations, drilling bonds and reports concerning operations and impose other requirements
relating to the exploration and production of oil and gas. Such states also have statutes
or regulations addressing conservation matters, including provisions for the unitization
or pooling of oil and gas properties, the establishment of maximum rates of production
from oil and gas wells and the regulation of spacing, plugging and abandonment of such
wells. The statutes and regulations of certain states limit the rate at which oil and gas
can be produced from the Company’s properties.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”)
regulates interstate natural gas transportation rates and service conditions, which affect
the marketing of gas produced by the Company, as well as the revenues received by the
Company for sales of such production. Since the mid-1980s, the FERC has issued a series of
orders, culminating in Order Nos. 636, 636-A and 636B (“Order 636”),
that have significantly altered the marketing and transportation of gas. Order 636
mandates a fundamental restructuring of interstate pipelines sales and transportation
service, including the unbundling by interstate pipelines of the sales, transportation,
storage and other components of the city-gate sales services such pipelines previously
performed. One of the FERC’s purposes in issuing the orders is to increase
competition within all phases of the gas industry. Order 636 and subsequent FERC orders on
rehearing have been appealed and are pending judicial review. Because these orders may be
modified as a result of the appeals, it is difficult to predict the ultimate impact of the
orders on the Company and its gas marketing efforts. Generally, Order 636 has eliminated
or substantially reduced the interstate pipelines’ traditional role as
wholesalers of natural gas, and has substantially increased competition and volatility in
natural gas markets. While significant uncertainty remains, Order 636 may ultimately
enhance the Company’s ability to market and transport its gas, although it may
also subject the Company to greater competition and the more restrictive pipeline
imbalance tolerances and greater associated penalties for violation of such tolerances.
Industry Conditions
Sales of oil and natural gas liquids by the Company are not regulated
and are made at market prices. The price the Company receives from the sale of these
products is affected by the cost of transporting the products to market. Effective as of
January 1, 1995, the FERC implemented regulations establishing an indexing system for
transpiration rates for oil pipelines, which, generally would index such rates to
inflation, subject to certain condition and limitations. These regulations could increase
the cost of transporting oil and natural gas liquids by pipeline, although the most recent
adjustment generally decreased rates. These regulations are subject to pending petitions
for judicial review. The Company is not able to predict with certainty what effect, if
any, these regulations will have on it, but, other factors being equal, the regulations
may, over time, tend to increase transportation costs or reduce wellhead prices for oil
and natural gas liquids.
Environmental Regulation
The oil and natural gas industry is subject to environmental regulation
pursuant to local, state and federal legislation. Environmental legislation provides for
restrictions and prohibitions on releases or emissions of various substances produced in
association with certain oil and natural gas industry operations. In addition, legislation
requires that well and facility sites be abandoned and reclaimed to the satisfaction of
state authorities and the landowner. A breach of such regulations and legislation may
result in the imposition of fines, penalties, clean-up orders and can affect the location
of wells and facilities and the extent to which oil and gas exploration and development is
permitted. Non-compliance with these regulations and legislation can be sufficient cause
for governmental authorities to withhold approval of drilling and/or operating permits.
Sharpe is in material compliance with current environmental laws and regulations.
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act (“CERCLA”), also known as the “Superfund” law,
imposes liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on
certain classes of persons that are considered to have contributed to the release of a
“hazardous substance” into the environment. These persons include the
owner or operator of the disposal site or the site where the release occurred and
companies that disposed or arranged for the disposal of the hazardous substances found at
the site. Persons who are responsible for releases of hazardous substances found at the
site and persons who are or were responsible for releases of hazardous substances under
CERCLA may be subject to joint and several liability for the costs of cleaning up the
hazardous substances that have been released into the environment and for damages to
natural resources, and it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third
parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the
hazardous substances released into the environment. The Company is able to control
directly the operation of only those wells with respect to which it acts as operator.
Notwithstanding the Company’s lack of control over wells operated by others, the
failure of the operator to comply with applicable environmental regulations may, in
certain circumstances, be attributed to the Company. The Company has no material
commitments for capital expenditures to comply with existing environmental requirements.
Risk Inherent to Sharpe’s Proposed Mining Activities
-
Sharpe is engaged in the business of acquiring and exploring mineral
properties in the hope of locating an economic deposit or deposits of minerals. The
property interests of the Company are in the exploration stage only and are without a
known body of commercial ore. There can be no assurance that the Company will generate any
revenues or be profitable or that the Company will be successful in locating an economic
deposit of minerals.
-
There are a number of uncertainties inherent in any exploration and
development program, including the location of economic ore bodies, the development of
appropriate metallurgical processes, the receipt of necessary governmental permits, and
the construction of mining and processing facilities. Substantial expenditures will be
required to pursue such exploration and development activities. Assuming discovery of an
economic ore body, and depending on the type of mining operation involved, several years
may elapse from the initial stages of development until commercial production is
commenced. New mining operations frequently experience unexpected problems during the
exploration and development stages and during the initial production phase. In addition,
preliminary reserve estimates may prove inaccurate. Accordingly, there can be no assurance
that the Company’s current exploration and development programs will result in
any commercial mining operations.
-
The Company may become subject to liability for cave-ins and other
hazards of mineral exploration against which it cannot insure or against which it may
elect not to insure because of high premium costs or other reasons. Payment of such
liabilities would reduce funds available for acquisition of mineral prospects or
exploration and development and would have a material adverse effect on the financial
position of the Company.
Title to Properties
The validity of unpatented mining claims on public lands, which
constitute most of the property holdings is often uncertain and may be contested and
subject to title defects.
Conflict of Interest
Certain directors and officers of the Company are also directors and
officers of other natural resource and base metal exploration and development companies.
As a result, conflicts may arise between the obligations of these directors to the Company
and to such other companies.
Dependence
on Key Personnel
The Company’s success will be dependent upon the services of
its President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roland Larsen.
Item 4. Information on the Company
A.
History and development of the company.
Sharpe Resources Corporation (the "Company" or
“Sharpe”) was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act
(Ontario) on April 10, 1980 under the name "Sharpe Energy & Resources
Limited". By Articles of Amendment dated November 2, 1984, the Company amended its
authorized capital to consist of an unlimited number of common shares and removed
restrictions on the issue, transfer or ownership of such shares. By Articles of Amendment
dated July 29, 1996, the Company changed its name to Sharpe Resources Corporation.
Sharpe entered the oil and gas business in the United States in early
1994. In 1995, it acquired working and net revenue interests in over 400 oil and gas wells
on 250 properties in 11 states and the West Thrifty waterflood project in Texas. These
assets were acquired from the oil and gas division of Figgie International Inc. and were
located primarily in the Rocky Mountain and Southwestern United States regions. In 1996,
Sharpe sold almost all of its Rocky Mountain interests. In early 1997, Sharpe acquired
interests in the Matagorda offshore project.
In 2001, the Company sold all of its offshore, Gulf of Mexico natural
gas production and several non-operated onshore petroleum and natural gas properties. In
2002 the Company focused its efforts on its remaining properties in Texas. In 2003, the
Company sold 32% of its interest in the West Thrifty Unit Texas properties. The purchaser
also took over operations on the properties.
In June, 2005, the company sold its remaining 62% revenue and working
interests in the West Thrifty Unit located in Brown County, Texas.
As of May 15, 2006, the Corporation changed its focus away from the Texas oil and gas
business to exploration and development for mineral resources and oil and gas in the
western US and a focus on coal bed methane and shale gas projects in the northeastern US.
B.
Business overview.
In May 2006, the Corporation changed its focus away from Texas
based oil and gas business to mineral exploration and development in the western US and
coal bed methane and shale gas projects in the northeastern US. . The Company had been a
resource company engaged in oil and gas exploration, and production in the United States
since the early 1990’s. This effort included the acquisition, exploration and
development of oil and gas properties in the United States. However, in 2005, the Company
sold its remaining oil and gas properties.
C.
Organizational structure.
The Company has one wholly owned subsidiary, Sharpe Energy Company,
which is incorporated pursuant to the laws of the State of Virginia. The Company's
operations in Canada consist of general and administrative expenses necessary to the
maintaining of the Company's public company status.
The terms "Sharpe" or the “Company”, as
used in this registration statement on Form 20-F, refers to Sharpe or the Company and its
wholly owned subsidiaries collectively.
D.
Property, plants and equipment.
The registered office of Sharpe Resources Corporation is located at
56 Temperance Street, Fourth Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2V5. The principal office is
located at 3258 Mob Neck Road, Heathsville, Virginia 22473.
West Thrifty – Brown County, Texas
The remaining producing property owned by the Company was its West
Thrifty project. The Company had a 100% working interest in this property however, in
2003, the Company sold 32% of its interest and the purchaser took over operation of the
property. In June, 2005, the Company sold its remaining revenue and working interests in
this property.
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
A.
Operating results.
Year Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to the Year Ended
December 31, 2006
The net loss for the year ending December 31, 2007 was $ 255,827as
compared to the net loss of $344,752 for the year ending December 31, 2006 a decrease of
$88,925. Revenue decreased from $20,885 for the year ending December 31, 2006 to $10,808
in 2007. Revenue consists of $2,202 in interest income and $8,606 in various small
override interests in petroleum and natural gas properties.
Operating and Administrative expenses for the year ending December 31,
2007 were $266,635 compared to $287,512 for the year ending December 31, 2006. General and
Administrative expenses increased from $74,178 for the year ending December 31, 2006 to
$110,547 for the year ending December 31, 2007. Management fees decreased from $154,000
the year ending December 31, 2006 to $15,000 the year ending December 31, 2007. Stock
option compensation increased from zero in 2006 to $90,232 in 2007 as a result of
1,600,000 options granted to purchase common shares of the Company on May 15, 2007. The
options are exercisable at CDN $0.10 and expire on May 15, 2012. The fair value of these
stock options was estimated at $90,232 (CDN $102,400) using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model using the following assumptions: Dividend yield, 0%, risk-free interest
rate, 4.21%, expected volatility, 153.8% and an expected life of 5 years. These options
were fully vested and expensed upon granting.
Year Ended December 31, 2006 Compared to the Year Ended December
31, 2005
The net loss for the year ending December 31, 2006 was $344,752 as
compared to net income of $289,238 for 2005. The difference of $633,990 is the result of
the gain on the sale of the West Thrifty Unit in 2005 of $416,320 and a one time
management fee of $154,000 paid to a current director and officer for the Corporation in
2006. This transaction was in the normal course of operations and was measured at the
exchange value which represented the amount of consideration established and agreed to by
the related parties. Revenue increased from $17,644 in 2005 to $20,885 in 2006 of which
$13,370 was from remaining small override interests in petroleum and natural gas
properties.
Operating and Administrative expenses for the year ending December 31,
2006 were $106,722 compared to $101,135 for the year 2005. The Corporation decided to pull
out from the Lyon County, Nevada project and accordingly the option price paid of US
$78,125 was written-off during the year. The Corporation purchased this option from Royal
Standard Minerals Inc.
(“RSM”) to acquire a 60% interest in
RSM’s gold project located in Lyon County Nevada on September 15, 2004 in
consideration for which the Corporation issued 2,000,000 common shares to RSM at a deemed
value of CDN $100,000 (US $78,125).
Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to the Year Ended December
31, 2004
Net income for the year ending December 31, 2005 was $289,238, as
compared to a net loss of $194,909 for the year ending December 31, 2004. This was the
result of the company selling all of its remaining working and revenue interests in the
West Thrifty Project in June, 2005. All costs relating to the West Thrifty property were
previously written-off. Proceeds from the sale of the property, net of disposal fees, have
been recorded as a realized gain on the sale. Inventory of $5,750 was included in this
sale. An obligation for future site restoration and abandonment in the amount of $13,500
has been reversed in the current year as a result of the sale of the property, and has
been included in the gain on disposition. The gain on the sale of the property was $416,
320. The sale price of $434,000 less settlement of payables of $17,260 resulted in net
cash proceeds of $416,740 (see note 8 of the 2005 year end audited financial statements
for more details).
Petroleum and natural gas revenue decreased from $108,998 in 2004 to
$17,644 in 2005. Operating expenses have decreased from $202,395 in 2004 to $5,648 in
2005. Again this is due to the sale of the remaining operating properties. All other
expenses increased from $101,512 in 2004 to $139,078 in 2005. Included in this increase
was $15,484 in stock option compensation (see Note 4(d) and 4(e) of the 2005 annual
audited financial statements for the details of this expense).
As of September 15, 2004, the Corporation changed its focus away from
the oil and gas business into precious metals exploration and development in the western
US. To this end Sharpe has purchased an option from Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (RSM) to
acquire a 60% interest in RSM’s gold project located in Lyon County, Nevada, in
consideration for which Sharpe has issued 2,000,000 common shares to RSM at a deemed value
of $78,125. To exercise the option, Sharpe must maintain the unpatented and patented
mining claims on the Project, must pay all required option, annual advanced minimum
royalty payments, and deliver a completed positive feasibility study in compliance with
National Instrument 43-101 in respect of the Project. Upon exercise of the Option, Sharpe
will hold a 60% working interest in the Project.
Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to the Year Ended December
31, 2003
The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $194,909 as
compared to $13,648 for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase of $181,261 in the
net loss for the year is primarily attributable to the sale of 32% of the
Corporation’s interest in the West Thrifty Unit during the year ended December
31, 2003. Expenses were $303,907 for the year ended December 31, 2004 as compared to
$372,902 for the year ended December 32 2003. The decrease of $68,995 in the expenses of
the Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2004 is attributable to, among other
things, decreased operating expenses on the Corporation’s properties.
As of September 15, 2004, the Corporation changed its focus away from
the oil and gas business into precious metals exploration and development in the western
US. To this end Sharpe has purchased an option from Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (RSM) to
acquire a 60% interest in RSM’s gold project located in Lyon County, Nevada, in
consideration for which Sharpe has issued 2,000,000 common shares to RSM at a deemed value
of $78,125. To exercise the option, Sharpe must maintain the unpatented and patented
mining claims on the Project, must pay all required option, annual advanced minimum
royalty payments, and deliver a completed positive feasibility study in compliance with
National Instrument 43-101 in respect of the Project. Upon exercise of the Option, Sharpe
will hold a 60% working interest in the Project.
Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to the Year Ended December
31, 2002
The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2003 was $13,648 as
compared to $111,999 for the year ended December 31, 2002. The decrease of $98,351 in the
net loss for the year is primarily attributable to the sale of 32% of the
Corporation’s interest in the West Thrifty Unit during the year ended December
31, 2003. Expenses were $372,902 for the year ended December 31, 2003 as compared to
$317,311 for the year ended December 31, 2002. The increase of $55,591 in the expenses of
the Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2003 is attributable to, among other
things, increased operating expenses on the Corporation’s properties. In order
to maintain the ongoing activities on the West Thrifty project the Corporation will need
approximately $100,000 to maintain its share of the development program in 2004.
B.
Liquidity and capital resources.
Year Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to the Year Ended
December 31, 2006
The Corporation’s cash balance at December 31, 2007 was
$304,548 compared to $204,866 at December 31, 2006. Total assets at December 31, 2007 were
$554,548 compared to $454,866 at December 31, 2006.
There was little change in current liabilities at December 31, 2007
which were $845,517 compared to $808,240 at December 31, 2006 a difference of $37,277.
Accounts payable increased from $110,209 at December 31, 2006 to $147,486 at December 31,
2007.
Year Ended December 31, 2006 Compared to the Year Ended December
31, 2005
The Corporation’s cash balance at December 31, 2006 was
$204,866 compared to $339,570 at December 31, 2005. Total assets at December 31, 2006 were
$454,866 compared to $417,695 at December 31, 2005. On January 24, 2006 the Corporation
completed a private placement of 8,796,200 units of the Corporation at CDN $0.05 per unit
for gross proceeds of CDN $439,810 (US $378,530). Each unit consists of one common share
of the Corporation and one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant is exercisable for
one year from closing at CDN $0.10 per share. The subscribers under the private placement
are directors of the Corporation. The warrants were valued using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model where the value was determined to be CDN $237,497 (US $204,408). The
following assumptions were used: dividend yield 0%, risk-free interest rate 3.83%,
expected volatility 190% and an expected life of 1 year. The units are subject to a hold
period which expires May 25, 2006.
There was little change in current liabilities at December 31, 2006
which were $808,240 compared to $804,847 at December 31, 2005.
Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to the Year Ended December
31, 2004
The Corporation’s cash balance as at December 31, 2005 was
$339,570 compared to $34,557 as at December 31, 2004. This is a direct result of the
company selling its remaining working and revenue interests in the West Thrifty Project
with net cash proceeds of the sale of $416,740. Total assets as at December 31, 2005 were
$439,242. Total assets as at December 31, 2004 were $159,609 representing an increase for
the year of $279,633. Current liabilities as at December 31, 2005 were $826,394 compared
to $837,983 as at December 31, 2004. This decrease is the result of a decrease in Loan
Claims from $664,533 at December 31, 2004 to $587,369 at December 31, 2005. There is also
$21,547 which is Due from Related Party. These amounts were both advanced to and are
advanced from Royal Standard Minerals Inc (RSM). RSM and the Company are related by virtue
of a common officer and director. Also included is a payment of $25,500 made from a
director to the Company.
Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to the Year Ended December
31, 2003
The Corporation’s cash balance as at December 31, 2004 was
$34,557 compared to $62,231 as at December 31, 2003. The fact that there was no material
change in the cash balance is attributable to no equity or debt financing of the
Corporation during 2003 or 2004. Current assets as at December 31, 2003 were $209,531.
Current assets as at December 31, 2004 were $81,484 representing a decrease from 2003 of
$128,047 and results primarily from a decrease in Notes Receivable representing the final
payments from the sale of the 32% working interest in the West Thrifty property. Current
liabilities as at December 31, 2003 were $106,588 compared to $173,450 as at December 31,
2004. This increase is the result of an in crease in trade payables from $61,979 in 2003
to $96,937 in 2004 as well as an increase in Due to Related Party from $44,609 in 2003 to
$76,515 in 2004.
The cash provided by operating activities was $159,527 for the year
ended December 31, 2003 compared to cash provided by operations of $108,998 for the same
period in 2004. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to
decreased production in the West Thrifty project. With decreased production came decreased
expenses with Operating & Administrative Expenses of $372,902 in 2003 compared to
$303,907 in 2004. The fact that little change in the cash position of the Corporation
during 2004 compared to the same period in 2003 is due to rate of change in the
Corporation’s financing activities and the lack of significant improvements in
the oil production cash flow from the Corporation’s properties during this
period.
On a forward going basis equity and debt financings will remain the
single major source of cash flow for the Corporation. On January 24, 2006 the Company
completed a private placement of 8,796,200 units of the Company at CDN $0.05 per unit for
gross proceeds of CDN $439,810. Each unit consists of one common share of the Company and
one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant is exercisable for one year from closing
at CDN $0.10 per share. The subscribers under the private placement are directors of the
Company. The warrants were valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model where the
value was determined to be CDN $237,497. The following assumptions were used: dividend
yield 0%, risk-free interest rate 3.83%, expected volatility 190% and an expected life of
1 year. The units are subject to a hold period which expires May 25, 2006. As revenue from
operations improve the capital requirement of the Corporation will also improve. However,
debt and equity financings will continue to be a source of capital to expand the
Corporation’s activities in the future.
The Corporation is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Common
Shares of which 35,184,803 are outstanding as at December 31, 2004. As at December 31,
2004 the Corporation had outstanding options to purchase 3,250,000 common shares with
exercise prices from C$0.10
0.12 per share and expiration dates ranging from May 2005 to May 2008.
Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to the Year Ended December
31, 2002
The Corporation’s cash balance as at December 31, 2003 was
$62,231 compared to $73,518 as at December 31, 2002. The fact that there was no material
change in the cash balance is attributable to no equity or debt financing of the
Corporation during 2003. Current assets as at December 31, 2002 were $162,406. Total
assets as at December 31, 2003 were $209,531 representing an increase from 2002 due to the
sale of a 32% working interest in the West Thrifty property. Current liabilities as at
December 31, 2003 were $106,588 compared to $76,975 as at December 31, 2002. This increase
is the result of a $25,500 loan from a related party.
The cash provided by operating activities was $159.527 for the year
ended December 31, 2003 compared to cash provided by operations of $55,631 for the same
period in 2002. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to
increased production in the West Thrifty project as well as higher oil prices. With
increased production came increased expenses with Operating & Administrative Expenses
of $372,902 in 2003 compared to $317,311 in 2002. The fact that little change in the cash
position of the Corporation during 2003 compared to the same period in 2002 is due to rate
of change in the Corporation’s financing activities and the lack of significant
improvements in the oil production cash flow from the Corporation’s properties
during this period.
C.
Research and development, patents and licenses, etc.
See Item 4. D. above.
D.
Trend information.
See Items 3. D. and 4. D. above.
E.
Off-balance sheet arrangements.
There are no off-balance sheet arrangements.
F.
Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations.
Contractual Obligations
|
Total
|
Less Than 1 Year
|
1-3 Years
|
3-5 Years
|
More Than 5 Years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unsecured Debt*
|
$563,818
|
$563,818
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Refer to Note 10 of the 2007 annual audited financial statements.
G.
Safe Harbor
Not applicable
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
A.
Directors and senior management.
The following table sets out the names of and related information concerning each
of the officers and directors of Sharpe Resources.
NAME OFFICE HELD SINCE
Roland M. Larsen President, Chief Executive 1993 Richmond,Virginia Officer and
Director
Kimberley Koerner
1
Treasurer and Director 2002 Brambleton, Virginia
Troy Koerner Director 2002 Brambleton, Virginia
James C. Dunlop Director 2006 Toronto, Ontario
1.
Kimberly Koerner is the daughter of Roland Larsen and the wife of Troy
Koerner.
The following discussion provides information on the principal occupations of the
above-named directors and executive officers of the Company within the preceding five
years.
Roland M. Larsen
Mr. Roland M. Larsen, President
,
has more than 30
years of experience in the natural resources, both in exploration and management roles.
Earlier in his career, he worked with BHP Minerals International, Inc. for a period of ten
years, where he was the Exploration Manager for the Eastern United States and the North
Atlantic Region. Prior to that he was the Senior Geologist for NL Industries, Inc. and NL
Baroid Petroleum Services. In addition, he has several years of experience working with
consulting engineering firms including Derry, Michner and Booth, and Watts Griffis &
McOuat Limited. He is a member of the Society of Economic Geologists, the American
Institute of Professional Geologists, the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and
Exploration, Inc. Mr. Larsen holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in geology.
Kimberly Koerner
Ms. Koerner is a consulting financial analyst from northern Virginia. Since graduating
with a B.
A. in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina –
Columbia in 1991, she has been employed with NPES of Reston, Virginia and Sharpe Energy
Company of Houston, Texas
Troy Koerner
Mr. Koerner has been an analyst with E-Trade Advisory Services Inc. since August, 2002.
From November 2000 to April 2002, Mr. Koerner served as an Equity Analyst with Lehman
Brothers Inc. Prior to joining Lehman Brothers, he was in the Global Credit department of
JP Morgan Company, Inc.
James C. Dunlop
From October 1994 to the present, Mr. Dunlop has been serving as the
Managing Director of Canada Trust Investment Group Inc., a subsidiary of Canada Trust. He
also serves as a director of Royal Standard Minerals Inc. From October 1986 to October
1994, he served as the Senior Vice President of CIBC-Investment Management Corp. Since
graduating with a B.A. from University of Western Ontario in 1972, Mr. Dunlop has worked
at increasingly senior positions within the Canadian investment community. Sharpe benefits
from Mr. Dunlop’s counsel on economic and commodity matters and from his
contacts in the investment community.
B.
Compensation.
Compensation of Officers
The following table summarizes, for the three most recently completed
financial years of the Corporation, information concerning the compensation earned by the
Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, the Chief Financial Officer of the
Corporation, each the Corporation’s three most highly compensated executive
officers of the Corporation who was serving as an executive officer as at the end of the
most recently completed financial year or who was not serving as an officer of the
Corporation at the end of the most recently completed financial year-end, and whose
aggregate compensation exceeded $150,000, (the “Named Executive
Officer”).
|
|
|
Annual Compensation
|
Long Term Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities
|
Shares or
|
|
|
All Other
|
Name and
|
|
|
|
Other Annual
|
Under
|
Restricted
|
|
LTIP
|
Compensation
|
Principal
|
|
Salary
|
Bonus
|
Compensation (US$)
|
Options/SARs
|
Share Units
|
|
Payouts
|
(US$)
|
Position
|
Year
|
(US$)
|
(US$)
|
|
Granted (#)
|
(US$)
|
|
(US$)
|
|
Roland M.
|
2007
|
Nil
|
Nil Nil
|
1,000,000(1) Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Larsen
|
2006
|
Nil
|
Nil $154,000
|
Nil Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
President &
|
2005
|
Nil
|
Nil Nil
|
300,000(2) Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
CEO
|
2004
|
Nil
|
Nil Nil
|
Nil Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Notes:
-
(1)
-
Options to acquire 1,000,000 Common Shares at an exercise price of $0.10 per share
expiring May 15, 2012
-
(2)
-
Options to acquire 300,000 Common Shares at an exercise price of $0.10 per share
expiring May 16, 2010
No options were exercised by the Named Executive Officer during the
twelve months ended December 31, 2007.
Stock Option Plan
The Company maintains a stock option plan (the "Stock Option
Plan") for directors, officers, consultants who provide ongoing services, and
employees of the Company and its affiliates. The purpose of the Stock Option Plan is to
attract, retain and motivate management, staff and consultants by providing them with the
opportunity, through options, to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and benefit
from its growth. The Stock Option Plan is a “rolling” plan under which
up to 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company from time to time,
subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, may be issued. The number of common Shares
reserved for issuance to any one person pursuant to options shall not exceed 5% of the
issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company.
With respect to insiders, the Stock Option Plan provides that Common
Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to options granted to insiders shall not exceed 10%
of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company and that the number of Common
shares which may be issued to insiders under the Stock Option Plan within a one-year
period shall be limited to 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company,
with no more than 5% issued to any one insider and his associates. The options are
non-assignable and may be granted for a term not exceeding ten years. The exercise price
of the options is fixed by the board of directors at the market price of the Common Shares
at the time of grant, subject to all applicable regulatory requirements.
Under the terms of the Stock Option Plan, the board of directors may,
at its discretion, grant financial assistance to holders wishing to exercise their
options. Any such financial assistance will include, as part of its conditions, the grant
of a lien on the Common Shares issuable on exercise of the options.
The following table sets forth details with respect to options to
purchase Common Shares that are outstanding under the Stock Option Plan as of December 31,
2007.
Holder
|
Date of Grant
|
Common shares Under Option (#)
|
Exercise Price ($/Share)
|
Expiration Date
|
Executive Officers as a group (1in
total)
|
May 8, 2003 May 16, 2005 May 15,
2007
|
431,000
300,000 1,000,000
|
$0.10
$0.10
$0.10
|
May 8, 2008
May 16, 2010 May 15, 2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors who are not also executive
officers, as a group (2 in total)
|
May 8, 2003 May 16, 2006 May 15,
2007
|
1,000,000 180,000
600,000
|
0.10
0.10
0.10
|
May 8, 2008
May 16, 2010 May 15, 2012
|
Compensation of Directors
None of the directors of the Corporation received for the financial year ended December
31, 2007 any fees for acting as directors or as members of committees of directors of the
Corporation. All directors are reimbursed for their expenses and travel incurred in
connection with attending directors meetings. Special remuneration, at per diem rates, may
be paid to any director (other than executive officers of the Corporation) undertaking
special services, at the request of the directors, any committee of the directors or the
President of the corporation, beyond those services ordinarily required of a director of
the Corporation. The directors of the Corporation are eligible to participate in the Stock
Option Plan of the Corporation. During the year ended December 31, 2007, 1,600,000 stock
options expired and 1,600,000 were granted to directors and officers of the Corporation.
Other Compensation Matters
There were no long-term incentive awards made to the executive officers of the Company
during the twelve months ended December 31, 2007. There are no pension plan benefits in
place for the Named Executive Officer and none of the Named Executive Officer, officers or
directors of the Company are indebted to the Company. In addition, there are no plans in
place with respect to the Named Executive Officer for termination of employment or change
in responsibilities.
Compensation Policy
The executive compensation policy of the Company is determined with a
view to securing the best possible talent to run the Company. Executives expect to reap
additional income from the appreciation in the value of the Common Shares they hold in the
Company, including stock options.
Salaries are commensurate with those in the industry with additional
options awarded to executive officers in lieu of higher salaries. Bonuses may be paid in
the future for significant and specific achievements, which have a strategic impact on the
fortunes of the Company. Salaries and bonuses are determined on a judgmental basis after
review by the board of directors of the contribution of each individual, including the
executive officers of the Company. Although they may be members of the board of directors,
the executive officers do not individually make any decisions with respect to their
respective salary or bonus. In certain cases, bonuses of certain individuals, other than
the executive officers, may be tied to specific criteria put in place at the time of
engagement.
The grant of stock options under the Company’s Stock Option
Plan is designed to give each option holder an interest in preserving and maximizing
shareholder value in the longer term and to reward employees for both past and future
performance. Individual grants are determined by an assessment of an individual's current
and expected future performance, level of responsibilities and the importance of his/her
position with and contribution to the Company.
C.
Board practices.
Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
The Board recognizes it is responsible for the stewardship of the
business and affairs of the Company and has adopted a set of principles and practices
setting out its stewardship responsibilities. Under its mandate, the Board seeks to
discharge such responsibility by reviewing, discussing and approving the
Company’s strategic planning and organizational structure, and supervising
management to ensure that the foregoing enhance and preserve the underlying value of the
Company for the benefit of all shareholders. As part of the strategic planning process,
the Board contributes to the development of a strategic direction for the Company by
reviewing, on an annual basis, the Company’s principal opportunities, the
processes that are in place to identify such opportunities and the full range of business
risks facing the Company, including strategic, financial, operational, leadership,
partnership and reputation risks. On an ongoing basis, the Board also reviews with
management how the strategic environment is changing, what key business risks and
opportunities are appearing and how they are managed, including the implementation of
appropriate systems to manage these risks and opportunities. The performance of
management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, is also supervised
to ensure that the affairs of the Company are conducted in an ethical manner. The Board,
directly and through its committees, ensures that the Company puts in place, and reviews
at least on an annual basis, comprehensive communication policies to address how the
Company
(i) interacts with analysts, investors, other key stakeholders and the
public, and (ii) complies with its continuous and timely disclosure obligations and avoids
selective. Finally, the Board monitors the integrity of corporate internal control
procedures and management information systems to manage such risks and ensure that the
value of the underlying asset base is not eroded.
The Board from time to time delegates to senior executives the
authority to enter into certain types of transactions, including financial transactions,
subject to specified limits. According to the Company’s policy, investments and
other similar expenditures above the specified limits, including major capital projects as
well as material transactions outside the ordinary course of business, whether on or off
balance sheet, are reviewed by, and subject to, the prior approval of the Board.
Following are the principles of the Company’s corporate
governance arrangements:
-
Subject to the relatively small size of the Company and to business
needs, the size of the Board must be kept to a sufficiently low number to facilitate open
and effective dialogue and full participation and contribution of each Director.
-
The Board must function as a cohesive team, with shared responsibilities
and accountabilities that are clearly defined, understood and respected.
-
The Board must have the ability to exercise all its supervisory
responsibilities independent of any influence by management.
-
The Board must have access to all the information needed to carry out
its full responsibilities. Information must be available in a timely manner and in a
format conducive to effective decision making.
-
The Board must develop, implement, and measure effective corporate
governance practices, processes and procedures.
Election of Directors and Officers
The Company's articles provide for a minimum of three and a maximum of
seven directors, to be elected yearly and to hold office until the next annual meeting of
shareholders of the Company or until their successors are duly elected or appointed. The
whole board is elected at each annual meeting, and all directors then in office must
retire, but, if qualified, are eligible for re-election. If an election of directors is
not held at the proper time, the directors continue in office until their successors are
elected or appointed. Each officer continues to hold office until the appointment of
officers at the first meeting of the board of directors after the election of directors
and, in default of the appointment of officers at such meeting, continues to hold office
after such meeting. In the absence of written agreements to the contrary, the board may
remove at its pleasure any officer of the Company.
Committees of the Board
There are currently two committees of the board of directors. The
board does not have, nor does it currently intend to form, a nominating committee. It is
the view of the board of directors that its current size (three) is small enough to make
such additional committees counter productive. In addition to regularly scheduled meetings
of the board, its members are in continuous contact with one another and with the members
of senior management. If the size of the board were to be enlarged or if the Company were
to undergo a substantial change in its business and operations, consideration would at
that point be given to the formation of additional committees, including a nominating
committee.
Audit Committee
The charter of the Corporation’s audit committee charter is
as follows:
1. Establishment of Audit Committee:
The board of directors of the
Corporation hereby establishes a committee to be called the Audit Committee. The Audit
Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors to assist the Board in fulfilling its
oversight responsibilities. The Audit Committee’s primary duties and
responsibilities are to:
a) Identify and monitor the management of the principal risks that could impact
the financial reporting of the Corporation; b) Monitor the integrity of the
Corporation’s financial reporting process and system of internal
controls regarding financial reporting and accounting compliance; c) Monitor the
independence and performance of the Corporation’s external auditors; d) Provide
an avenue of communication among the external auditors, management and the Board
of Directors.
The Audit Committee has the authority to conduct any investigation
appropriate to fulfilling its responsibilities, and it has direct access to the external
auditors as well as anyone in the organization. The Audit Committee has the ability to
retain, at the Corporation’s expense, special legal, accounting, or other
consultants or experts it deems necessary in the performance of its duties.
-
Membership:
The Audit Committee shall be composed of three members or such
greater number as the board of directors may from time to time determine. A majority of
the members of the Audit Committee shall be unrelated to the Company. Members shall be
appointed annually from among the members of the board of directors. The Chair of the
Audit Committee shall be appointed by the board of directors. All members of the Audit
Committee shall be financially literate. An Audit Committee member who is not financially
literate may be appointed to the Audit Committee provided that the member becomes
financially literate within a reasonable period of time. The following board members have
been appointed to serve on the Audit Committee as follows:
-
Mandate:
The Audit Committee shall, in addition to any other duties and
responsibilities specifically assigned or delegated to it from time to time by the board
of directors:
Kimberly L. Koerner (Chair)
|
James Dunlop
|
Troy Koerner
|
a) Meet with the independent external auditors (the “auditors”) and
the senior management of the Corporation to review the year-end audited financial
statements of the Corporation which require approval by the board of directors, prior to
the issuance of any press release in respect thereof; b) Review with senior management
and, if necessary, the auditors, the interim financial statements of the Corporation prior
to the issuance of any press release in respect thereof; c) Review the MD&A and press
releases containing financial results of the Corporation; d) Review all prospectuses,
material change reports and annual information forms; e) Review the audit plans and the
independence of the auditors; f) Meet with the auditors independently of management; g) In
consultation with senior management, review annually and recommend for approval by the
board of directors:
-
(i)
-
the appointment of auditors at the annual general meeting of shareholders of the
Corporation;
-
(ii)
-
the remuneration of the auditors; and
(iii) pre-approve all non audit services to be provided to the Corporation by the
external auditor; h) review with the auditors:
-
(i)
-
the scope of the audit;
-
(ii)
-
significant changes in the Corporation's accounting principles, practices or policies;
and
(iii) new developments in accounting principles, reporting matters or industry
practices which may materially affect the financial statements of the Corporation; i)
review with the auditors and senior management the results of the annual audit, and make
appropriate recommendations to the board of directors, having regard to, among other
things:
-
(i)
-
the financial statements;
-
(ii)
-
management's discussion and analysis and related financial disclosure contained in
continuous disclosure documents;
(iii) significant changes, if any, to the initial audit plan;
-
(iv)
-
accounting and reporting decisions relating to significant current year events and
transactions;
-
(v)
-
the audit findings report and management letter, if any, outlining the auditors'
findings and recommendations, together with management's response, with respect to
internal controls and accounting procedures; and
-
(vi)
-
any other matters relating to the conduct of the audit, including the review and
opportunity to provide comments in respect of any press releases announcing year end
financial results prior to issue and such other matters which should be communicated to
the Audit Committee under generally accepted auditing standards;
j) Review with the auditors the adequacy of management's internal control procedures
and management information systems and inquiring of management and the auditors about
significant risks and exposures to the Corporation that may have a material adverse impact
on the Corporation's financial statements, and inquiring of the auditors as to the efforts
of management to mitigate such risks and exposures; k) Monitor policies and procedures for
reviewing directors' and officers' expenses and perquisites, and inquire about the results
of such reviews; l) Review and approve written risk management policies and guidelines
including the effectiveness of the overall process for identifying the principal risks
affecting financial reporting; m) Review issues relating to legal, ethical and regulatory
responsibilities to monitor management's efforts to ensure compliance Including any legal
matters that could have a significant impact on the Corporation’s financial
statements, the Corporation’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations
and inquiries received from regulators of governmental agencies; and, n) Establish
procedures for:
-
a.
-
the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the issuer regarding
accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters; and
-
b.
-
the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the issuer of concerns regarding
questionable accounting or auditing matters.
4. Administrative Matters:
The following general provisions shall have
application to the Audit
Committee: a) A quorum of the Audit Committee shall be the attendance of two members
thereof present in person or by telephone. No business may be transacted by the Audit
Committee except at a meeting of its members at which a quorum of the Audit Committee is
present or by a resolution in writing signed by all the members of the Audit Committee.
Meetings of the Audit Committee shall be held at least annually and more often as the
Chair of the Audit Committee may determine; b) Any member of the Audit Committee may be
removed or replaced at any time by resolution of the directors of the Corporation. A
member of the Audit Committee shall ipso facto cease to be a member of the Audit Committee
upon ceasing to be a director of the Corporation. The board of directors, upon
recommendation of the Corporate Governance Committee, may fill vacancies on the Audit
Committee by appointment from among its members. If and whenever a vacancy shall exist on
the Audit Committee, the remaining members may exercise all its powers so long as a quorum
remains. Subject to the foregoing, each member of the Audit Committee shall hold such
office until the close of the annual general meeting of shareholders of the Corporation
next following the date of appointment as a member of the Audit Committee or until a
successor is duly appointed. Any member of the board of directors who has served as a
member of the Audit Committee may be re-appointed as a member of the Audit Committee
following the expiration of his term; c) The Audit Committee may invite such officers,
directors and employees of the Corporation as it may see fit from time to time to attend
at meetings of the Audit Committee and to assist thereat in the discussion of matters
being considered by the Audit Committee. The independent auditor of the Corporation is to
appear before the Audit Committee when requested to do so by the Audit Committee; d) The
time at which and the place where the meetings of the Audit Committee shall be held, the
calling of meetings and the procedure at such meetings shall be determined by the Audit
Committee, having regard to the by-laws of the Corporation. A meeting of the Audit
Committee may be held at any time without notice if all of the members are present or, if
any members are absent, those absent have waived notice or otherwise signified their
consent in writing to the meeting being held in their absence; e) The Chair shall preside
at all meetings of the Audit Committee and shall have a second and deciding vote in the
event of a tie, provided that, in the event of a tie vote when only two members of the
Audit Committee are present at a particular meeting, the matter shall be resolved by a
future vote of members of the Audit Committee at which more than two members are present.
In the absence of the Chair, the other members of the Audit Committee shall appoint one of
their members to act as Chair for the particular meeting; f) Notice of meetings of the
Audit Committee may be given to the auditor of the Corporation and shall be given in
respect of meetings relating to the annual audited financial statements. The auditor has
the right to appear before and to be heard at any meeting of the Audit Committee. Upon the
request of the auditor, the Chair of the Audit Committee shall convene a meeting of the
Audit Committee to consider any matters which the auditor believes should be brought to
the attention of the directors or shareholders of the Corporation; g) The Audit Committee
shall report to the directors of the Corporation on such matters and questions relating to
the financial position of the Corporation or any affiliates of the Corporation as the
directors of the Corporation may from time to time refer to the Audit Committee; h) The
members of the Audit Committee shall, for the purpose of performing their duties, have the
right of inspecting all the books and records of the Corporation and its affiliates and of
discussing such books and records in any matter relating to the financial position of the
Corporation with the officers, employees and auditor of the Corporation and its
affiliates; i) Minutes of the Audit Committee will be recorded and maintained and the
Chair of the Audit Committee will report to the board of directors on the activities of
the Audit Committee and/or the minutes will promptly be circulated to the directors who
are not members of the Audit Committee or otherwise made available at the next meeting of
directors; j) The Chair of each meeting of the Audit Committee shall appoint a person to
act as recording secretary to keep the minutes of the meeting. The recording secretary
need not be a member of the Audit Committee; k) Unless the Audit Committee has been
provided with express instructions from the board of directors, the Audit Committee shall
function primarily to make assessments and determinations with respect to the purposes
mandated herein and its decisions shall serve as recommendations for consideration by the
board of directors.
Corporate Governance Committee
The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for the development, maintenance, and
disclosure of the Company’s corporate governance practices. The mandate of the
committee includes:
-
developing criteria governing the size and overall composition of the Board;
-
conducting an annual review of the structure of the Board and its committees, as well as
of the mandates of such committees;
-
recommending new nominees for the Board (in consultation with the Chairman and the Chief
Executive Officer); and
-
recommending the compensation of directors
-
ensuring that the Company’s policy on disclosure and insider trading,
including communication to the different stakeholders about the Company and its
subsidiaries, documents filed with securities regulators, written statements made in
documents pertaining to the Company’s continuous disclosure obligations,
information contained on the Company’s Web site and other electronic
communications, relationships with investors, the media and analysts is timely, factual
and accurate, and broadly disseminated in accordance with all applicable legal and
regulatory requirements.
The committee also coordinates the annual evaluation of the Board, the committees of
the Board and individual directors. All issues identified through this evaluation process
are then discussed by the Corporate Governance Committee and are reported to the Board.
Finally, it also has the responsibility for annually initiating a discussion at the Board
level on the performance evaluation and remuneration of the President and Chief Executive
Officer.
Conflicts of Interest
Some of the directors and officers of the Company also serve as directors and officers
of other companies involved in the resource exploration sector. Consequently, there exists
a possibility for any such officer or director to be placed in a position of conflict.
Each such director or officer is subject to fiduciary duties and obligations to act
honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company.
Similar duties and obligations will apply to such other companies. Thus
any future transaction between the Company and such other companies will be for bona fide
business purposes and approved by a majority of disinterested directors of the Company.
D.
Employees.
In addition to the officers and directors, the Company has one
part-time administrative assistant.
E.
Share ownership.
Name
|
Office Held
|
Number of Common Shares Beneficially
Owned or Over Which Control is Exercised1
|
Roland M. Larsen Richmond,
Virginia
|
President, CEO & Director
|
6,789,220
|
|
|
|
Kimberley Koerner Brambleton,
Virginia
|
Treasurer & Director
|
3,518,480
|
|
|
|
Troy Koerner Brambleton, Virginia
|
Director
|
2,638,860
|
|
|
|
James C. Dunlop Toronto, Ontario
|
Director
|
Nil
|
1. The information as to shares beneficially owned or over which
control or direction is exercised, not being within the knowledge of the Company, has been
furnished by the respective individuals.
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
A.
Major Shareholders
The following table shows as at May 5, 2008, each person who is
known to the Company, or its directors and officers to beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, or to exercise control or direction over securities carrying more than 10% of
the voting rights attached to any class of outstanding voting securities of the Company
entitled to be voted.
Name of Shareholder
|
Securities Owned, Controlled or
Directed
|
Percentage of the Class of
Outstanding Voting Securities of the Company (1)
|
|
|
|
CDS & Co. (2) Toronto,
Ontario
|
22,213,640 Common Shares
|
47.65%
|
Roland M. Larsen Richmond, Virginia
|
6,789,220
|
14.56%
|
-
(1)
-
Based on 46,619,863 Common Shares issued and outstanding as at May 5, 2008.
-
(2)
-
This is a nominee account. To the knowledge of the Company, there is no beneficial
ownership of these shares by this nominee. The shares are held by a number of securities
dealers and other intermediaries holding shares on behalf of their clients who are the
beneficial owners.
B.
Related party transactions.
Following is a summary of the related party transactions of the
Corporation for the last three years ending December 31:
2007 2006 2005
Due from related party
1
$250,000 $250,000 $0
Due to related party
Roland M. Larsen
2
$25,400 $25,400 $25,500
Royal Standard Minerals Inc.
3
108,813 108,813 109,082
-
Standard Energy Company is related by virtue of its ownership by an
officer and director of the Company. The loan receivable is unsecured, non-interest
bearing and no date is set for its repayment. On January 7, 2008, the Company acquired
100% interest in the Standard Energy Company as described in Note 11 of the audited
Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005.
-
This loan is payable to an officer and director of the Company. It is
unsecured, bearing interest at 8% and has no date set for its repayment. The interest
payable on this loan has been accrued but has not yet been paid.
-
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. is a related company by virtue of common
management and common directors. The loan payable is unsecured, non-interest bearing and
no date is set for its repayment.
Management fees of $15,000 (December 31, 2006 – $154,000)
were paid to an officer and director of the Company.
These transactions are in normal course of operations and are measured
at the exchange amount (the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the
related parties which approximate the arm’s length equivalent value.)
C.
Interests of experts and counsel.
Not Applicable.
Item 8. Financial Information
A
.
Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
Following is a list of financial statements filed as part of the
annual report under Item #17:
− Auditor's Report for Sharpe Resources Corporation for the year
ended December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 − Consolidated Balance
Sheets of Sharpe Resources Corporation as at December 31, 2007 and 2006 −
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit of Sharpe Resources Corporation for the
years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005
− Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of Sharpe Resources
Corporation for the years
ended December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005 − Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements of Sharpe Resources Corporation − Management’s Discussion
and Analysis
The consolidated financial statements of Sharpe Resources Corporation
were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada and
are expressed in United States dollars. For a discussion of the reconciliation of such
financial statements to United States generally accepted accounting principles, see note
#8 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements of Sharpe Resources Corporation.
B.
Significant Changes.
a) On January 7, 2008, the Company acquired a 100% interest in
Standard Energy Company. The cash and stock transaction includes a cash payment of
$250,000 and the issuance of 2 million shares of the Company's common stock valued at
$0.25 per share and is subject to regulatory approvals. This transaction completes a
previously announced (July 5, 2006) purchase agreement between the parties for a large
coal property located in Preston County, West Virginia.
Standard Energy's primary asset includes 100% ownership interest in all
of the coal seams on more than 17,000 acres in Preston County, West Virginia.
b) On April 1, 2008, Standard Energy, the Company's new wholly owned
subsidiary, entered into a purchase agreement to acquire a 40% interest in a coal mine
property in Eastern Kentucky. The terms of the transaction include a payment of $250,000
and specific expenditure commitments in regard to accelerating the development of this
property. The Lawrence County Kentucky property is permitted and bonded and is in position
to commence production immediately.
Item 9. The Offer and Listing
A.
Offer and listing details.
The authorized capital of the Company consists of (i) an unlimited
number of Common Shares and (ii) an unlimited number of preferred shares. The Common
Shares are the only class of securities which are the subject of this registration
statement on Form 20-F.
The Common Shares, when issued, will be fully paid and non-assessable,
carry one vote at all meetings of shareholders (except meetings at which only holders of
another class or series of shares are entitled to vote), participate ratably in any
dividend declared by the directors, subject to the rights of holders of any shares ranking
prior to the Common Shares, carry the right to receive a proportionate share of the assets
of the Company available for distribution to holders of the Common Shares in the event of
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company. The Common Shares do not carry any
pre-emptive rights or voting rights.
On May 10, 1998, the shareholders of the Company approved by the
requisite vote an amendment to the Company’s articles to increase the authorized
capital of the Company by the creation of an unlimited number of preferred shares. The
preferred shares are issuable in series and authorize the directors of the Company to fix
the number of shares in, and determine the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions
and conditions attaching to the shares of each series. As of December 31, 2005, no series
has been designated by the board of directors of the Company.
There are no laws or regulations, which would impose voting
restrictions on non-resident shareholders.
The following table sets forth the reported high and low sales prices
(stated in Canadian currency) and the average daily trading volume of the outstanding
Common Shares on the Montreal Exchange for the periods January 1997 through September 2001
and the TSX Venture Exchange for the periods October 2001 through May, 2008.
|
High
|
Low
|
Volume
|
2001
|
|
|
|
First Calendar Quarter
|
$0.28
|
$0.11
|
45,997
|
Second Calendar Quarter
|
$0.16
|
$0.10
|
39,862
|
Third Calendar Quarter
|
$0.11
|
$0.05
|
12,330
|
Fourth Calendar Quarter
|
$0.05
|
$0.02
|
69,953
|
2002
|
|
|
|
First Calendar Quarter
|
$0.12
|
$0.03
|
40,018
|
Second Calendar Quarter
|
$0.14
|
$0.04
|
29,602
|
Third Calendar Quarter
|
$0.06
|
$0.04
|
1,812
|
Fourth Calendar Quarter
|
$0.05
|
$0.05
|
0
|
2003
|
|
|
|
First Calendar Quarter
|
$0.05
|
$0.05
|
0
|
Second Calendar Quarter
|
$0.05
|
$0.05
|
0
|
Third Calendar Quarter
|
$0.05
|
$0.05
|
0
|
Fourth Calendar Quarter
|
$0.05
|
$0.05
|
0
|
2004
|
|
|
|
First Calendar Quarter
|
$0.12
|
$0.04
|
1,695
|
Second Calendar Quarter
|
$0.07
|
$0.04
|
3,186
|
Third Calendar Quarter
|
$0.08
|
$0.04
|
7,129
|
Fourth Calendar Quarter
|
$0.06
|
$0.03
|
9,270
|
2005
|
|
|
|
First Calendar Quarter
|
$0.05
|
$0.04
|
9,378
|
Second Calendar Quarter
|
$0.06
|
$0.03
|
27,991
|
Third Calendar Quarter
|
$0.09
|
$0.03
|
41,567
|
Fourth Calendar Quarter
|
$0.17
|
$0.04
|
108,903
|
2006
|
|
|
|
First Calendar Quarter
|
$0.18
|
$0.09
|
39,533
|
Second Calendar Quarter
|
$0.18
|
$0.10
|
51,333
|
Third Calendar Quarter
|
$0.17
|
$0.08
|
17,900
|
Fourth Calendar Quarter
|
$0.10
|
$0.05
|
19,500
|
2007
|
|
|
|
First Calendar Quarter
|
$0.12
|
$0.05
|
29,567
|
Second Calendar Quarter
|
$0.07
|
$0.06
|
19,267
|
Third Calendar Quarter
|
$0.07
|
$0.06
|
14,262
|
Fourth Calendar Quarter
|
$0.08
|
$0.04
|
29,696
|
2008
|
|
|
|
January 2008
|
$0.09
|
$0.05
|
32,647
|
February 2008
|
$0.09
|
$0.07
|
12,229
|
March 2008
|
$0.15
|
$0.07
|
84,294
|
April 2008
|
$0.13
|
$0.09
|
44,867
|
May 2008
|
$0.23
|
$0.12
|
58,811
|
B.
Plan of Distribution
Not Applicable
C.
Markets
The Company was listed on the Vancouver Stock Exchange from 1980
until July 1995 when it was delisted at its own request in order to facilitate the
quotation of its Common Shares on the Canadian Dealing Network. Trading in the
Company’s Common Shares commenced on the Canadian Dealing Network on July 10,
1995 under the symbol “SHGP” until January 1997 when it was delisted
at its own request in order to facilitate the listing of its Common Shares on the Montreal
Exchange. Trading in the Company’s Common Shares commenced on the Montreal
Exchange on January 20, 1997 and continued until October 2001 when they began trading on
the TSX Venture Exchange (formerly the CDNX).
The Company’s shares are listed on the OTC:BB under the
symbol SHGPF and in Canada under the symbol SHO.H on the NEX exchange.
D.
Selling shareholders.
Not Applicable
E.
Dilution.
Not Applicable
F.
Expenses of the issue.
Not Applicable
Item 10. Additional Information
A.
Share capital.
Not applicable
B.
Memorandum and articles of association.
These documents were filed with the original registration report in
July, 1998.
C.
Material contracts.
There are no material contracts.
D.
Exchange controls.
There is no law, governmental decree or regulation in Canada that
restricts the export or import of capital, including foreign exchange controls, or that
affects the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of
Common Shares, other than withholding tax requirements and potential capital gain on the
disposition of the Common Shares under certain circumstances. (See Item 10. E. -
Taxation.)
There is no limitation imposed by Canadian law or by the Articles or
other charter documents of the Company on the right of a non-resident to hold or vote
Common Shares, other than as provided by the Investment Canada Act (Canada) as amended,
including as amended by the World Trade Organization Implementation Act (Canada). The
following summarizes the principal features of the Investment Canada Act for non-Canadians
who propose to acquire Common Shares.
The Investment Canada Act (the “Act”) enacted on
June 20, 1985, as amended, including as amended by the World Trade Organization
Implementation Act (Canada), requires notification and, in certain cases, advance review
and approval by the Government of Canada of the acquisition by a
“non-Canadian” of “control” of a
“Canadian business,” all as defined in the Act.
“Non-Canadian” generally means an individual who is not a Canadian
citizen or permanent resident, or a Corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that
is ultimately controlled by non-Canadians. For purposes of the Act,
“control” can be acquired through the acquisition of all or
substantially all of the assets used in the Canadian business, or the direct or indirect
acquisition of voting interests or shares in an entity that carries on a Canadian business
or which controls the entity which carries on the Canadian business whether or not the
controlling entity is Canadian. Under the Act, control of a Corporation is deemed to be
acquired through the acquisition of a majority of the voting shares of a Corporation, and
is presumed to be acquired where at least one-third, but less than a majority, of the
voting shares of a Corporation or of an equivalent undivided ownership interest in the
voting shares of a Corporation are acquired unless it can be established that the
Corporation is not controlled in fact through the ownership of voting shares. Other rules
apply with respect to the acquisition of non-corporate entities.
All investments to acquire control of a Canadian business are
notifiable, unless they are reviewable. Investments requiring review and approval include:
(i) a direct acquisition of control of a Canadian business with assets with a value of
Cdn. $5,000,000 or more; (ii) an indirect acquisition of control of a Canadian business
where the value of the assets of the Canadian business and of all other Canadian entities
the control of which is acquired directly or indirectly is Cdn. $50,000,000 or more; and
(iii) an indirect acquisition of control of a Canadian business and of all other Canadian
entities the control of which is acquired directly or indirectly is Cdn. $5,000,000 or
more and represents greater than 50% of the total value of the assets of all of the
entities, control of which is being acquired. Subject to certain exceptions, where an
investment is made by a “WTO Investor” (generally, nationals or
permanent residents of World Trade Organization member states, or entities controlled by
residents or nationals of WTO member states) or the Canadian business is controlled by a
WTO Investor, the monetary thresholds discussed above are higher. In these circumstances
the monetary threshold with regard to direct acquisitions is Cdn. $160,000,000 in constant
1995 dollars as determined in accordance with the Act. Indirect acquisitions of Canadian
businesses by or from WTO Investors are not subject to review. The United States is a WTO
member state.
Special rules apply with respect to investments by non-Canadians
(including WTO Investors) to acquire control of Canadian businesses that engage in certain
specified activities, including financial services, transportation services and activities
relating to Canada’s cultural heritage or national identity.
If an investment is reviewable, an application for review in the form
prescribed by regulation is normally required to be filed with the Investment Review
Division of Industry Canada prior to the investment taking place and the investment may
not be normally implemented until the review has been completed and ministerial approval
obtained.
The Investment Review Division will submit the application for review
to the Minister of Industry (Canada), together with any other information or written
undertakings given by the acquirer and any representations submitted to the division by a
province that is likely to be significantly affected by the investment. The Minister will
then determine whether the investment is likely to be of “net benefit to
Canada,” taking into account the information provided and having regard to
certain factors of assessment prescribed under the Act. Among the factors considered are:
(i) the effect of the investment on the nature and level of economic activity in Canada,
including the effect on employment, on resource processing, on the utilization of parts,
components and services produced in Canada, and on exports from Canada; (ii) the degree
and significance of participation by Canadians in the Canadian business and in any
industry in Canada of which it forms a part; (iii) the effect of the investment on
productivity, industrial efficiency, technological development, product innovation and
product variety in Canada; (iv) the effect of the investment on competition within any
industry or industries in Canada; (v) the compatibility of the investment with national
industrial, economic and cultural objectives enunciated by the government or legislature
of any province likely to be significantly affected by the investment; and (vi) the
contribution of the investment to Canada’s ability to compete in world markets.
Within 45 days after completed application for review has been
received, the Minister must notify the investor that (a) he is satisfied that the
investment is likely to be of “net benefit to Canada,” or
(b) he is unable to complete his review in which case he shall have 30
additional days to complete his review (unless the investor agrees to a longer period) or
(c) he is not satisfied that the investment is likely to be of “net benefit to
Canada.” If the Minister is unable to complete his review and no decision has
been taken within the prescribed or agreed upon time, the Minister is deemed to be
satisfied that the investment is likely to be of “net benefit to
Canada.”
Where the Minister has advised the investor that he is not satisfied
that the investment is likely to be of “net benefit to Canada,” the
acquirer has the right to make representations and submit undertakings within 30 days of
the date of notice (or any further period that is agreed upon between the investor and the
Minister). On the expiration of the 30-day period (or an agreed extension), the Minister
must notify the investor whether or not he is satisfied that the investment is likely to
be of “net benefit to Canada.” In the latter case, the investor may
not proceed with the investment, or if the investment has already been implemented, must
divest itself of control of the Canadian business.
No securities of the Company are subject to escrow or similar
restrictions.
E.
Taxation
The following is a summary of certain Canadian federal income tax
provisions applicable to United States corporations, citizens and resident alien
individuals purchasing Common Shares. The discussion is only a general summary and does
not purport to deal with all aspects of Canadian federal taxation that may be relevant to
shareholders, including those subject to special treatment under the income tax laws.
Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding the Canadian federal
income tax consequences of holding and disposing of the Company’s Common Shares,
as well as any consequences arising under U.S. federal, state or local tax laws or tax
laws of other jurisdictions outside the United States. The summary is based on the
assumption that, for Canadian tax purposes, the purchasers or shareholders (i) deal at
arm’s-length with the Company, (ii) are not residents of Canada, (iii) hold the
Common Shares as capital property and (iv) do not use or hold Common Shares in, or in the
course of, carrying on business in Canada (a “Non-Resident Holder”).
Dividends paid to U.S. residents by the Company on the Common Shares generally will be
subject to Canadian non-resident withholding taxes. For this purpose, dividends will
include amounts paid by the Company in excess of the paid-up capital of the Common Shares
on redemption or a purchase for cancellation of such shares by the Company (other than
purchases on the open market). For U.S. corporations owning at least 10% of the voting
stock of the Company, the dividends paid by the Company are subject to a withholding tax
rate of 6% in 1996 and 5% thereafter under the Canada-U.S. Income Tax Convention (1980),
as amended by the Protocol signed on March 17, 1995 (the “Treaty”).
For all other U.S. shareholders, the Treaty reduces the withholding tax rate from 25% to
15% of the gross dividend. Other applicable tax treaties may reduce the Canadian tax rate
for other Non-Resident Holders.
A Non-Resident Holder will generally not be subject to tax in Canada on capital gains
realized from disposition of Common Shares, unless such shares are “taxable
Canadian property” within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada). Generally,
the Common Shares would not be taxable Canadian property unless the Non-Resident Holder,
together with related parties, at any time during the five years prior to the disposition
of the Common Shares owned not less than 25% of the issued shares of any class of the
capital stock of the Company. Under the Treaty, a resident of the United States will not
be subject to tax under the Income Tax Act (Canada) in respect of gains realized on the
sale of Common Shares which constitute “taxable Canadian property”,
provided that the value of the Common Shares at the time of disposition is not derived
principally from real property located in Canada.
F.
Dividends and paying agents.
Not applicable.
G.
Statement by experts
Not applicable.
H.
Documents on display.
Company documents can be viewed at 3258 Mob Neck Road, Heathsville, Virginia 22473.
They can also be obtained by writing to this address.
I.
Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
At December
31, 2006, the Company's financial instruments consisted of cash and cash equivalents,
receivables, payables and accruals and advances from related parties. The Company
estimates that the fair value of its financial instruments approximates the carrying
values. It is management's opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant
interest, currency or credit risks arising from these financial instruments.
Receivables include amounts receivable for petroleum and natural gas sales, which are
generally made to large creditworthy customers in the United States. Accordingly, the
Company views credit risks on these amounts as low.
The company is exposed to losses, in the event of non-performance by counter-parties to
these financial instruments. The Company deals with major institutions and believes these
risks are minimal.
Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities.
Not applicable.